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Travis Kelce\u2019s crowd-pleasing touchdown catch during the Kansas City Chiefs\u2019 Christmas Day victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers has come at a cost. The star tight end, 35, incurred a hefty fine of $14,069 after his celebratory dunk of the football over the goal post, which violated NFL rules. The fine, levied for \u201cUnsportsmanlike Conduct Use of Prop,\u201d was confirmed by the league on Saturday, January 4, 2025, according to\u00a0NBC Sports<\/em>.<\/p>\n The touchdown, which Kelce dedicated to honoring Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez, was one of the highlights of the game. In the fourth quarter, Kelce caught a 12-yard pass, marking his 77th career touchdown and surpassing Gonzalez\u2019s franchise record of 76. However, his celebratory dunk over the goal post immediately drew attention, as it was reminiscent of a similar move Gonzalez was known for during his career.<\/p>\n While the celebration was a fitting tribute to Gonzalez, it broke an NFL rule that prohibits the use of the goal post as a prop for celebrations. The move dates back to 2013 when New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham was penalized for a similar stunt after knocking the goal post off balance, causing a delay in the game. As a result, the NFL instituted a ban on such celebrations, deeming them unsportsmanlike conduct.<\/p>\n Kelce\u2019s fine serves as a reminder that even the most well-intentioned celebrations can lead to penalties in the league. Despite the financial hit, Kelce\u2019s gesture was appreciated by Gonzalez, who thanked him for the tribute and reportedly offered to cover the fine in recognition of Kelce\u2019s respect for his legacy.<\/p>\n Kelce\u2019s touchdown not only honored Gonzalez but also marked a personal milestone for the tight end. With his 77th receiving touchdown, Kelce officially surpassed Gonzalez\u2019s franchise record, a feat that highlights his continued excellence on the field. The Chiefs celebrated the achievement with an Instagram post that highlighted Kelce\u2019s new record, captioned: \u201cIf you ever can\u2019t find Travis, chances are he\u2019s in the end zone. Congrats, @killatrav!\u201d<\/p>\n Kelce\u2019s record-breaking touchdown was part of a dominant performance by the Chiefs, who triumphed over the Steelers with a 31-17 victory. The game also saw Kelce surpass several other career milestones, solidifying his status as one of the top tight ends in NFL history.<\/p>\n Tony Gonzalez, who spent 12 seasons with the Chiefs and another five years with the Atlanta Falcons, was known for his own signature celebrations during his 17-year career. The \u201cgoal post dunk\u201d became one of his trademarks, a move that Kelce clearly sought to emulate in his Christmas Day game.<\/p>\n In a gesture of appreciation, Gonzalez publicly thanked Kelce for the tribute. \u201cI think it\u2019s great that Travis is carrying on the tradition,\u201d Gonzalez said in a statement after the game. \u201cIt was an honor to see him break my record, and the dunk was a cool way to pay homage to something that became a part of Chiefs history.\u201d<\/p>\n While Gonzalez was appreciative of the tribute, he also offered to pay the fine Kelce incurred as a result. \u201cIf it\u2019s about honoring me, I\u2019ll take care of the fine for him,\u201d Gonzalez reportedly said, underscoring the bond between the two tight ends.<\/p>\n Kelce\u2019s historic touchdown came just days after he made headlines once again for his relationship with pop superstar Taylor Swift. The pair had been linked romantically for several months, and Swift has been an enthusiastic supporter of Kelce\u2019s accomplishments on and off the field.<\/p>\n After Kelce surpassed Gonzalez\u2019s receiving touchdown record, Swift took to social media to celebrate with her boyfriend. The Chiefs also posted a congratulatory message, featuring a photo of Kelce alongside the words, \u201cMost receiving touchdowns,\u201d acknowledging his achievement. Swift\u2019s public show of support only further solidified Kelce\u2019s status as one of the NFL\u2019s most beloved stars.<\/p>\n With his touchdown record and the support of figures like Gonzalez and Swift, Travis Kelce continues to cement his legacy as one of the most dominant tight ends in NFL history. While the fine for his celebratory dunk may have been an unfortunate consequence, it hasn\u2019t overshadowed his remarkable achievements on the field.<\/p>\n Kelce\u2019s performance during the Chiefs\u2019 Christmas Day win over the Steelers was a testament to his talent, as well as his respect for the players who came before him. As the NFL season progresses, Kelce will undoubtedly continue to break records, inspire teammates, and thrill fans with his performances. However, he\u2019ll likely think twice before using the goal post as a prop again.<\/p>\n In the meantime, Chiefs fans, football lovers, and Swifties alike can look forward to more exciting moments from one of the NFL\u2019s most entertaining stars.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Travis Kelce\u2019s crowd-pleasing touchdown catch during the Kansas City Chiefs\u2019 Christmas Day victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers has come at a cost. The star tight end, 35,… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":23908,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23915","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl"],"yoast_head":"\n<\/div>\nNFL\u2019s Penalty for \u201cUse of Prop\u201d<\/strong><\/h3>\n
A Record-Breaking Moment for Kelce<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"December](\"https:\/\/whatstrending.com\/nitropack_static\/vpIGnsEtHdaKmxtWnkDzUtnzAvCMunus\/assets\/images\/optimized\/rev-749f78f\/whatstrending.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/BLU_A101755888-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nGonzalez Reacts to Kelce\u2019s Tribute<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"Atlanta](\"https:\/\/whatstrending.com\/nitropack_static\/vpIGnsEtHdaKmxtWnkDzUtnzAvCMunus\/assets\/images\/optimized\/rev-749f78f\/whatstrending.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/BLU_A72936784-866x1024.jpg\")
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nKelce\u2019s Support from Taylor Swift<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Looking Ahead: Kelce\u2019s Legacy<\/strong><\/h3>\n